Mickey Cheeky- thanks for your encouragement. I have been done my best to be supportive but this situation is so foreign to me and can not even imagine having to deal with that kind of loss. I am not sure how to encourage as I am not sure she will be part of his life again. As much as I would hope that this is just a phase, I don't know if he will have contact with her again. To me that is heartbreaking to watch and I know it is for him. I would like to encourage him to be hopeful but yet by doing that, I think it makes it harder to move on.
I have tried to explain that unfortunately, this circumstance is out of his control and he can not make her do anything as she is an adult now ( mental health issues aside). I have read that some people disappear/estangement themselves as a protective mechanism and for them to heal. No one really knows what happened, what her rationale was, how she is doing now, there is just so much unknown which makes it difficult.
Obviously, my friend has extreme guilt, trying to rack his brain , if there was something he had done to cause this? if there is something he could have done to prevent this?
It is such a sad situation. I have looked for support groups, thinking finding out how other have dealt with estrangement might be able to give some counsel, support, hope if there are success stories but I have had little luck. That is why I was so please to have finally found this forum. Although Estrangement is not listed as it's own topic, I am happy to have hopefully found some resources and support. Thank you to all of you that took the time to write - it is MUCH appreciated!!!